He was the son of Tadhg Cael Uisce Ó Briain. He came to power after deposing his uncle Brian Ruadh Ó Briain in 1276 and expelling him from Thomond. Brian then became an ally of Thomas de Clare who would restore him to power and in return be allowed to colonize all the land between Quin and Limerick, he succeeded and drove out Toirdhealbhach. Toirdhealbhach then enlisted the aid of his cousin William de Burgh and the MacNamara and O'Dea clans. He defeated the combined forces of Brian Ruadh and Thomas de Clare in 1277 and became King of Thomond.
Thomas de Clare continued to attempt to undermine Toirdhealbhach's power and supported Brian Ruadh's son Donnchadh against Toirdhealbhach until Donnchadh was drowned in 1284.[2]
He died in 1306 and was succeeded by his son Donnchadh.
